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Friday, August 25, 2017

To have a plan in place can help you when you need to make a change, but focusing on that goal will keep you moving in the right direction.

Having a focal point will keep you engaged on the end result making your goal much more achievable. As you focus on your goal, it will prevent you from being distracted by bumps, turns, set backs, and even pain.

In exercise, when you focus on the muscle you are working, it works it much better.

In childbirth, having a focal point lessens brain activity on the pain. Visualizing something else like sitting on a beach with your feet in the sand, a cool breeze on your face actually tricks your brain into removing you from the pain.

In marriage, focus on kindness and unconditional love and reap the fruitful rewards.

Make yourself a vision board, write out your plan and date it, and keep your eyes on the prize.

Lastly, keep your thoughts and especially the words coming out of your mouth moving you towards your goal, not speaking against it.

Aim NOT to be aimless.

"So run to win." 1 Corinthians 9:24

"Therefor I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air." 1 Corinthians 9:26

Monday, August 21, 2017

Icebreaker:What does a major holiday (Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.) look like with your extended family and/or with your in-laws?

Conversation Starter:

“Deuteronomy 5:16 tells us to honor our parents so
that we may live long and so things will go well with us. No age limit is
specified, which leads us to believe that as long as our parents are alive, we
should honor them. Of course, once a child reaches adulthood, he is no longer
obligated to obey them (“Children, obey your parents...”), but there is no age
limit to honoring them.” www.gotquestions.org

Conversation Starter:Don’t get on the crazy train, when you see crazy coming – cross the street.

Jesus
Set Boundaries -- Jesus Said No to Inappropriate Behavior

Demands. He withdrew
from the crowds who wanted him, for one-on-one time with the Father (Luke
5:15-16).

Abuse. He fought
his way through the crowd that was trying to throw him off a cliff for claiming
to be the Messiah (Luke 4:28-30).

Entitlement. He didn’t
give in to his mother and brothers who tried to use their relationship with him
to pull him away from the crowd he was ministering to (Matthew 12:46-50).

Baiting Questions. When the
religious leaders asked him baiting questions to make him look foolish he
answered with incisive questions of his own (Matthew 21:23-27, 22:15-22).

Cynicism. He said no
to Herod’s mocking demand, “Show us a sign that you are the Son of God.” (Luke
23:8-9).

Manipulation. He said no
to Peter and the disciples who had an inappropriate agenda for Jesus to a
political king or military warrior rather than a sacrificial lamb. (Matthew
16:23).

Pride. He didn’t
heal those who were too proud to trust Him (Matthew 13:58).

I have a sister who is in a lesbian marriage. After I found out, I spoke to
her several times about my feelings concerning her life style. She knows how I
feel.But sitting at her wedding as the
facilitator said, “Speak now of forever hold your peace.” I knew I had spoken,
I can now hold my peace.I can let go
and let God work on her spirit, let God convict her, let God orchestrate her
repentance. I can just be her sister.

Challenge: Offer grace, mercy and forgiveness to everyone, everyone.BUT PUTTING BOUNDARIES IN PLACE ARE A
MUST.

Prayer: Father, We love and trust you! You are holy and your name is above all names. You are the King of Kings, Lord or Lords. Lead us in the way everlasting and help us to love others with your love and hold to the last commandment that Jesus left for us, to love one another.

Lord, We know that we all fail you, but that your love covers a multitude of sins. Those of us who are in Christ, wear His righteousness. Thank you, Jesus!